| In martial arts traditional training, many rituals that | | | | your dojo and keep it clean. The second is a little |
| a white belt might not understand are performed. | | | | more philosophical. Each day before class starts, |
| You are asked to remove your shoes and bow | | | | the floor is swept. Each person to arrive takes |
| at the door before entering the dojo (and before | | | | their turn at sweeping before they stretch and |
| going in or out of any other door in the dojo). | | | | get ready for that day's class. |
| You are asked to take your turn at sweeping or | | | | Sweeping is a reminder that we must also clear |
| vacuuming the floor before practice and you are | | | | the debris from our minds before we practice. |
| asked to bow to a shrine dedicated to the | | | | Now is not the time to be thinking about |
| founders of your style. | | | | deadlines, tomorrow's report or yesterday's |
| True, when you signed up for martial arts | | | | supplies that should have been ordered. You need |
| traditional training you didn't sign up to be | | | | "mushin" -- an empty mind. |
| housekeeper for the dojo, but as with any martial | | | | But the things you learn as a white belt -- and |
| arts traditional training, there is always a deeper | | | | beyond -- aren't meant to stay in the dojo. Martial |
| meaning to any action or request. | | | | arts history and tradition are meant for everyday |
| Let's take a look at the act of bowing. When you | | | | life as well. The combative arts aren't simply |
| enter a dojo (martial arts school), you are asked | | | | another exercise program. They never have |
| to bow. In general, bowing is a sign of respect. It | | | | been. |
| is like shaking hands or saying "thank you." | | | | The things you learn as a student of the martial |
| You bow to the shrine to show respect to the | | | | arts will aid you throughout your life and help you |
| founders of your particular style and you bow to | | | | achieve goals you had previously only dreamt. It's |
| your Sensei, instructors and fellow students to | | | | not easy, but it is satisfying. |
| show respect as well. It isn't just harassing the | | | | The simple things may seem simple, but if you |
| new white belt student; there's actual meaning | | | | can get past that and truly master each lesson |
| and respect behind the action. | | | | learnt as a white belt, you will be on your way to |
| As a white belt, you are expected to do what | | | | being a true martial artist. Never simply assume |
| your instructors tell you to do and do it without | | | | that you know enough, either. |
| question (within reason, of course). When your | | | | Any of the martial arts traditional teachings will tell |
| instructors first started their martial arts traditional | | | | you that life is a lesson that never ends. So look |
| training, they had to do their fair share of | | | | forward to earning your next belt, because with |
| sweeping floors and dusting trophy shelves. | | | | it, comes all new lessons. |
| The obvious reason for this is to show pride in | | | | |